It's common knowledge among women to avoid cold water and cold foods during menstruation. This has led to the belief: "You can't eat fruit during your period because all fruits are cold." In reality, some fruits are not only safe but also beneficial to eat during menstruation.
Cold-natured fruits are not suitable for consumption during menstruation.
In fact, fruits have their own "natures." Cool and cold fruits are indeed not very suitable for consumption during menstruation. The reason is that consuming raw and cold foods during this time can, first, hinder digestion, and second, easily damage the body's vital energy (yang qi), leading to internal cold. The nature of cold is constricting, which can impede the smooth flow of menstrual blood, resulting in scanty periods and even menstrual cramps.
The quintessential example of a cold-natured fruit is watermelon, also known as the "cold melon." Even for a healthy person, it should not be consumed in excess, and women during their period should be especially cautious. In addition to watermelon, other cool and cold fruits include muskmelon, pomelo, persimmon, kiwi fruit, starfruit, mulberry, banana, mango, pear, mandarin, monk fruit, and strawberry. Experts suggest that moderately consuming fewer cold-natured fruits during menstruation is generally not a major problem.
During menstruation, "warm-natured" and "neutral-natured" fruits can be eaten.
There is another category of fruits that are "mild in nature," such as lychee. With its crystal-clear flesh and sweet and sour taste, lychee is rich in vitamin C and protein. It is known to replenish energy and boost the body's immune function, and has long been regarded as a precious tonic. Besides lychee, other warm-natured fruits include kumquat, pomegranate, waxberry, peach, cherry, tangerine, orange, plum, and papaya.
Another nature of fruit is "neutral," with the apple being a typical example. Apples are neutral in nature and sour in taste. They contain tannic acid, organic acids, pectin, and fiber, as well as a wealth of nutrients like cellulose, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, carotene, potassium, and zinc. They can help stop diarrhea and promote bowel movements, which is very effective for constipation, a common issue during menstruation. Other neutral-natured fruits include lemon, jujube, dark plum, longan, grape, fig, coconut, pineapple, and olive.
As for "warm-natured" and "neutral-natured" fruits, women during their period can fully embrace them. This not only helps replenish fluids but also provides vitamins and minerals, alleviating symptoms like poor appetite, lower back pain, and fatigue during menstruation.